The World's Most Expensive Houses — and Who Owns Them

December 11, 2017Brent Furdyk

There's wealth and then there's wealth, the kind of money that allows someone to live in a home valued in the tens or even hundreds of millions (or, in some cases, in the billions). To see how the one per cent of the one per cent live, take a gander at some of the most expensive houses in the world.

Real Estate

The World's Most Expensive Houses — and Who Owns Them

December 11, 2017 Brent Furdyk

There's wealth and then there's wealth, the kind of money that allows someone to live in a home valued in the tens or even hundreds of millions (or, in some cases, in the billions). To see how the one per cent of the one per cent live, take a gander at some of the most expensive houses in the world.

Playboy Mansion

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Playboy Mansion

<p><strong>Location:</strong> Beverly Hills, California</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Daren Metropoulos</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $100 million</p>
While the original Playboy Mansion was in Chicago, magazine founder Hugh Hefner bought the second and final Playboy Mansion back in 1971 for the now hilarious price of $1.1 million. Hefner, who died in September 2017, put the notorious party house on the market in 2016, asking $200 million — with the caveat that whoever purchased it would have to allow Hef to live out his final days there. The 12-bedroom home sits on five acres and includes such unique features as the infamous grotto and and comes with a cave-like grotto and a zoo license. When the house finally sold to Greek-born billionaire (and owner of Hostess, makers of Twinkies) Daren Metropoulos, the price had reportedly been slashed to $100 million — half Hef's asking price.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/7-of-the-most-expensive-homes-for-sale-across-canada-1907929/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">7 of the Most Expensive Houses for Sale in Canada</a>

Playboy Mansion

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> Beverly Hills, California</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Daren Metropoulos</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $100 million</p>
While the original Playboy Mansion was in Chicago, magazine founder Hugh Hefner bought the second and final Playboy Mansion back in 1971 for the now hilarious price of $1.1 million. Hefner, who died in September 2017, put the notorious party house on the market in 2016, asking $200 million — with the caveat that whoever purchased it would have to allow Hef to live out his final days there. The 12-bedroom home sits on five acres and includes such unique features as the infamous grotto and and comes with a cave-like grotto and a zoo license. When the house finally sold to Greek-born billionaire (and owner of Hostess, makers of Twinkies) Daren Metropoulos, the price had reportedly been slashed to $100 million — half Hef's asking price.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/7-of-the-most-expensive-homes-for-sale-across-canada-1907929/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">7 of the Most Expensive Houses for Sale in Canada</a>

Xanadu 2.0

Xanadu 2.0

<p><strong>Location:</strong> Medina, Washington</p>
<p><strong>Current Owners:</strong> Bill and Melinda Gates</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $125.5 million</p>
How's this for an <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/most-expensive-house-world-for-sale-350-million-1909027/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">expensive house</a>? It took seven years and $63 million to build the 66,000-square-foot home owned by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and wife Melinda. As you'd expect, there are a LOT of unique features, including a 60-foot pool (housed in its own separate building) with underwater music system, a trampoline room with 20-foot ceilings, a high-tech theatre that can accommodate 20 guests, six kitchens and a massive library that houses the Codex Leicester, a 16-century Leonardo da Vinci manuscript Gates bought at auction in 1994 for $30.8 million.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/14-awesome-things-you-can-buy-for-the-cost-of-a-modest-4m-vancouver-home-1052609/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">14 Awesome Things You Can Buy for the Cost of a Modest $4M Vancouver Home</a>

Xanadu 2.0

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> Medina, Washington</p>
<p><strong>Current Owners:</strong> Bill and Melinda Gates</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $125.5 million</p>
How's this for an <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/most-expensive-house-world-for-sale-350-million-1909027/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">expensive house</a>? It took seven years and $63 million to build the 66,000-square-foot home owned by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and wife Melinda. As you'd expect, there are a LOT of unique features, including a 60-foot pool (housed in its own separate building) with underwater music system, a trampoline room with 20-foot ceilings, a high-tech theatre that can accommodate 20 guests, six kitchens and a massive library that houses the Codex Leicester, a 16-century Leonardo da Vinci manuscript Gates bought at auction in 1994 for $30.8 million.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/14-awesome-things-you-can-buy-for-the-cost-of-a-modest-4m-vancouver-home-1052609/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">14 Awesome Things You Can Buy for the Cost of a Modest $4M Vancouver Home</a>

Palazzo di Amore

Palazzo di Amore

Among the many over-the-top amenities of Palazzo di Amore (Italian for "Palace of Love") is a two-level, 15,000-square-foot “entertainment complex” with a revolving dance floor, state-of-the-art DJ booth, replete with a laser light system. There's also a 50-seat theatre, a game room with a two-lane bowling alley and parking for 150 cars.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/low-cost-kitchen-updates-1913359/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">12 Genius Low-Cost Kitchen Updates That Look Expensive</a>

Palazzo di Amore

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Among the many over-the-top amenities of Palazzo di Amore (Italian for "Palace of Love") is a two-level, 15,000-square-foot “entertainment complex” with a revolving dance floor, state-of-the-art DJ booth, replete with a laser light system. There's also a 50-seat theatre, a game room with a two-lane bowling alley and parking for 150 cars.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/low-cost-kitchen-updates-1913359/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">12 Genius Low-Cost Kitchen Updates That Look Expensive</a>

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle

<p><strong>Location:</strong> San Simeon, California</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Heart Corp.</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $191 million</p>
Constructed by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst (the basis for Orson Welles' cinema classic <em>Citizen Kane</em>) on a 40,000-acre spread of California landscape he purchased in 1865 (which he eventually expanded to more than 250,000 acres), the 165-room estate was built to Hearst’s exacting specifications, and showcased his legendary art collection. When Hearst was forced to leave the home due to ill health in 1947, it still hadn't been completed. The largest of the compound's buildings is Casa Grande (pictured), which boasts 38 bedrooms within its expansive 68,500 square feet.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bathrooms/photos/14-stylish-bathrooms-youll-never-want-to-leave-1894680/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">14 Stylish Bathrooms You'll Never Want to Leave</a>

Hearst Castle

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> San Simeon, California</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Heart Corp.</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $191 million</p>
Constructed by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst (the basis for Orson Welles' cinema classic <em>Citizen Kane</em>) on a 40,000-acre spread of California landscape he purchased in 1865 (which he eventually expanded to more than 250,000 acres), the 165-room estate was built to Hearst’s exacting specifications, and showcased his legendary art collection. When Hearst was forced to leave the home due to ill health in 1947, it still hadn't been completed. The largest of the compound's buildings is Casa Grande (pictured), which boasts 38 bedrooms within its expansive 68,500 square feet.
<br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bathrooms/photos/14-stylish-bathrooms-youll-never-want-to-leave-1894680/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">14 Stylish Bathrooms You'll Never Want to Leave</a>

Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle

Other amenities of the home include the stunning 345,000-gallon Neptune Pool (pictured). These days, Hearts Castle is a museum/tourist attraction that's been designated a California state park, but technically still owned by the Hearst Corp.

Hearst Castle

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Other amenities of the home include the stunning 345,000-gallon Neptune Pool (pictured). These days, Hearts Castle is a museum/tourist attraction that's been designated a California state park, but technically still owned by the Hearst Corp.

18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens

18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens

<p><strong>Location:</strong> London, England</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Lakshmi Mittal</p>
<p><strong>Value: </strong>$222 million</p>
Located on Britain's most expensive street (a.k.a. London's "Billionaire's Row"), this historic property is owned by Laksmi Mittal, who owns the world's largest steel manufacturing company and is one of India's richest men. The home is near Kensington Palace, home to Prince William and Duchess Kate.

18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> London, England</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Lakshmi Mittal</p>
<p><strong>Value: </strong>$222 million</p>
Located on Britain's most expensive street (a.k.a. London's "Billionaire's Row"), this historic property is owned by Laksmi Mittal, who owns the world's largest steel manufacturing company and is one of India's richest men. The home is near Kensington Palace, home to Prince William and Duchess Kate.

18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens

18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens

When Mittal purchased the home in 2004 for £67 million (US$128 million), it was declared to be the world's most expensive home at the time. Previous residents of the 55,000-square-foot mansion include Baron de Reuter (founder of Reuters news agency), artist John Leech, the de Rothschild family and former British Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone.

18-19 Kensington Palace Gardens

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When Mittal purchased the home in 2004 for £67 million (US$128 million), it was declared to be the world's most expensive home at the time. Previous residents of the 55,000-square-foot mansion include Baron de Reuter (founder of Reuters news agency), artist John Leech, the de Rothschild family and former British Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone.

Four Fairfield Pond

Four Fairfield Pond

<p><strong>Location:</strong> Sagaponack, New York</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Ira Rennert</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $248.5 million</p>
Home to billionaire Ira Rennert of the Renco Group, this sprawling estate sits on 63 acres in the Hamptons, about 95 miles outside of Manhattan. Constructed in the 1990s at a cost of $110 million, estimates vary as to the home's specifications, which is said to contain between 21 and 29 bedrooms, and between 18 and 39 bathrooms. Other features of note include 12 chimneys, a 91-foot-long dining room and a 10,000-square-foot "playhouse" that contains a basketball court, a bowling alley, a billiards room, two tennis courts and two squash courts.

Four Fairfield Pond

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> Sagaponack, New York</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Ira Rennert</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $248.5 million</p>
Home to billionaire Ira Rennert of the Renco Group, this sprawling estate sits on 63 acres in the Hamptons, about 95 miles outside of Manhattan. Constructed in the 1990s at a cost of $110 million, estimates vary as to the home's specifications, which is said to contain between 21 and 29 bedrooms, and between 18 and 39 bathrooms. Other features of note include 12 chimneys, a 91-foot-long dining room and a 10,000-square-foot "playhouse" that contains a basketball court, a bowling alley, a billiards room, two tennis courts and two squash courts.

Tour Odéon Penthouse

Tour Odéon Penthouse

<p><strong>Location:</strong> Monaco</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $400 million</p>
Estimates vary about the value of this luxury penthouse atop a 56-storey skyscraper in Monaco, which has been valued at somewhere between $387 million and $400 million. The five-storey penthouse boasts nearly 10,000 square feet of living space, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning 360-degree views of Monaco. Other amenities include multiple swimming pools and a private staff including a chauffeur and caterer. The home is currently on the market, and at present does not have an owner.

Tour Odéon Penthouse

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> Monaco</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $400 million</p>
Estimates vary about the value of this luxury penthouse atop a 56-storey skyscraper in Monaco, which has been valued at somewhere between $387 million and $400 million. The five-storey penthouse boasts nearly 10,000 square feet of living space, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning 360-degree views of Monaco. Other amenities include multiple swimming pools and a private staff including a chauffeur and caterer. The home is currently on the market, and at present does not have an owner.

Villa la Leopolda

Villa la Leopolda

<p><strong>Location:</strong> Cote D’Azure, France</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Lily Safra</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $750 million</p>
Built in the 1920s atop King Leopold II's villa, this spectacular home features an entrance hall with a large stone staircase inspired by the Chateau Borelli in Marseille, and hosts eight luxurious suites and eight staff bedrooms.

Villa la Leopolda

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> Cote D’Azure, France</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Lily Safra</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $750 million</p>
Built in the 1920s atop King Leopold II's villa, this spectacular home features an entrance hall with a large stone staircase inspired by the Chateau Borelli in Marseille, and hosts eight luxurious suites and eight staff bedrooms.

Villa la Leopolda

Villa la Leopolda

Villa la Leopolda also has a rich history. In addition to serving as a military hospital during the First World War, the home has been featured in such films as <em>The Red Shoes</em> and Alfred Hitchcock's <em>To Catch a Thief</em>.

Villa la Leopolda

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Villa la Leopolda also has a rich history. In addition to serving as a military hospital during the First World War, the home has been featured in such films as <em>The Red Shoes</em> and Alfred Hitchcock's <em>To Catch a Thief</em>.

Antilia

Antilia

<p><strong>Location:</strong> Mumbai, India</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Mukesh Ambani</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $1 billion</p>
If you've ever wondered what a $1-billion home looks like, it looks like this oddly shaped tower in the heart of Mumbai, serving as the home of Mukesh Ambani (head of Reliance Industries Limited) and his family. The building is 27 storeys high, and features an additional six storeys underground.

Antilia

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> Mumbai, India</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Mukesh Ambani</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $1 billion</p>
If you've ever wondered what a $1-billion home looks like, it looks like this oddly shaped tower in the heart of Mumbai, serving as the home of Mukesh Ambani (head of Reliance Industries Limited) and his family. The building is 27 storeys high, and features an additional six storeys underground.

Antilia

Antilia

With views of the Mumbai skyline, the 400,000-square-foot steel-and-glass home took seven years to build, at a reported cost of $70 million (blame escalating Mumbai real estate for the home's current billion-dollar valuation). The family's living quarters take up the top six floors of the building, which also features nine high-speed elevators, a two-storey health centre, indoor swimming pool, an entire floor to hold Ambani's collection of cars, and even an "ice room" where the family can enjoy an indoor, manmade snowstorm.

Antilia

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With views of the Mumbai skyline, the 400,000-square-foot steel-and-glass home took seven years to build, at a reported cost of $70 million (blame escalating Mumbai real estate for the home's current billion-dollar valuation). The family's living quarters take up the top six floors of the building, which also features nine high-speed elevators, a two-storey health centre, indoor swimming pool, an entire floor to hold Ambani's collection of cars, and even an "ice room" where the family can enjoy an indoor, manmade snowstorm.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

<p><strong>Location:</strong> London, England</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Queen Elizabeth II</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $2.9 billion</p>
The famed palace was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, and became the official residence of the sovereign of England upon Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne. A <a href="https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/luxury/property/the-royal-property-portfolio-with-775-rooms-buckingham-palace-is-estimated-to-be-worth-2-billion-a100846.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">2016 report</a> valued Buckingham Palace at an estimated £2.2 billion, or US$2.9 billion.

Buckingham Palace

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<p><strong>Location:</strong> London, England</p>
<p><strong>Current Owner:</strong> Queen Elizabeth II</p>
<p><strong>Value:</strong> $2.9 billion</p>
The famed palace was built in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham, and became the official residence of the sovereign of England upon Queen Victoria's ascension to the throne. A <a href="https://www.homesandproperty.co.uk/luxury/property/the-royal-property-portfolio-with-775-rooms-buckingham-palace-is-estimated-to-be-worth-2-billion-a100846.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">2016 report</a> valued Buckingham Palace at an estimated £2.2 billion, or US$2.9 billion.

Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace

Not only is the central London location absolutely primo, the 828,821-square-foot palace features 775 rooms on five floors, with other amenities including a fully equipped doctor's surgery, swimming pool and 40 acres of manicured gardens.

Buckingham Palace

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Not only is the central London location absolutely primo, the 828,821-square-foot palace features 775 rooms on five floors, with other amenities including a fully equipped doctor's surgery, swimming pool and 40 acres of manicured gardens.